A PORTUGUESE man o’ war has been spotted washed up on a west Dorset beach.

Jemma Thompson was out for a walk on Cogden beach when she saw the distinctive balloon-like body of the man o' war washed up on the stones.

Jemma said: "You can’t really see the tentacles but there was a dark blue cluster underneath. It had probably taken a bashing in the storm."

Although not an uncommon sighting, Portuguese men o’ war are more likely to appear during the winter months after periods of stormy weather.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Portuguese man o' war washed up on Cogden beach

In a previous statement about the sea creature, Sarah Hodgson, a marine officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Although normally found out in the open ocean, it's not unusual to see Portuguese man o’ war pushed closer to our shores following a prolonged spell of strong south-westerly winds. 

“They turn up most years but are more likely to occur during the winter months after periods of stormy weather.“

Portuguese men o’ war are not actually jellyfish, they are a siphonophore which is a colony of tiny animals, called zooids, all working together as if one creature.

Sarah said: “The zooids have different functions; some are responsible for catching prey and make up the tentacles; some are for locomotion and make up their balloon-like sail; there are some for feeding and others for breeding. 

“Portuguese man o’ war live on the surface of the water drifting where the wind and currents take them. Beneath the surface of the water, their long tentacles trail underneath to capture and ensnare their prey. 

“These tentacles deliver a nasty and extremely painful sting so stay alert and keep your distance if you happen to spot them in the water. 

“Care should also be taken if they are found washed up on the beach as they still have the capacity to sting, even after they have died, so look but do not touch.”

People are encouraged to send any sightings to the Dorset Wildlife Trust via email: kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk and for more information visit: https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/marine/colonial-creatures/portuguese-man-owar.